TORONTO STAR: Kevin McGran lists this summer’s best and worst off-season moves. Among the best: The Blues signing Paul Stastny, the Capitals inking Matt Niskanen and Brooks Orpik, and the Maple Leafs hiring Brendan Shananan as team president. Among the worst: The Penguins trading James Neal to Nashville, and the Senators losing Jason Spezza and Ales Hemsky.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I disagree about the Capitals addition of Orpik, mainly because they overpaid to get him. I also disagree regarding the Neal trade, as the Penguins needed to shake things up. They got a good winger (Patric Hornqvist) in return. Given the reaction to the Leafs unwillingness to replace their head coach earlier this summer, I don’t think they belong among the best.

TSN.CA: The NHL “lost a court motion to dismiss a case filed by six fans who allege that its restrictions on local TV broadcasts are anti-competitive.”

5 Comments

old dog
on August 9, 2014 at 4:49 pm

Lyle…I have been reading you with some increasing impatience for almost a year. The Leafs decision to keep Carlyle may have more to do with two things. During the exit interviews it may have been obvious that the players wanted him out. To do so thereafter leaves the players with the impression that they control everything. Secondly, a one year extension amounts to a retirement package. Maybe there is another coach already in mind and waiting a year is worthwhile. If so they kill two birds with one stone.

You have an obvious bias ( what Canadian doesn’t) but in your business it should show less often. I have been a journalist and know how tricky this can be. Try harder, Lyle your readers deserve it.

Shticky
on August 11, 2014 at 12:12 am

I too believe that Carlyle should have been fired (been banging away at that drum for a while) but… I dont think you can discredit all the good moves they made because they didnt think there was a better coach available. I agree with the old dog.

patricktroy
on August 10, 2014 at 1:02 am

Lyle, excellent work as usual, that’s why we read you and not him

Jesse
on August 11, 2014 at 8:31 pm

+1

AJ
on August 10, 2014 at 4:02 pm

I wonder how you get involved in the anticompetitive case because I totally support that!

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